Day 2 - Arrive Athens (2 nights) You are met at Athens Airport and transferred to your hotel. After check-in the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy this exciting city. Later we will have a welcome briefing with our Trafalgar Representative in the hotel.
Hotel: Divani Palace Acropolis
Day 3 - Athens Sightseeing This morning our guided sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Acropolis, which literally means ‘highest point’, and was formally proclaimed as the preeminent monument on the European Cultural Heritage list of monuments in March 2007. Then we see the Olympic stadium and the Evzone guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier. We will also tour some of the most famous sites in Athens such as the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. Afterwards, your afternoon and evening is at leisure. Why not dine on delicious local specialties in one of Athens’ many cosmopolitan restaurants? (Buffet breakfast)
Day 4 - Athens – Cruising This morning we are transferred to the port of Piraeus to board our cruise ship, our home for the next seven nights. Relax on board as we cruise towards Turkey. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Cruising – Istanbul We arrive in Istanbul in the morning and have until the evening to enjoy this fabled city. Perhaps take an excursion to see the highlights of Istanbul or visit the Blue Mosque and St. Sofia. Maybe even enjoy some Turkish belly-dancing before we set sail for the playground of the rich and famous, the beautiful island of Mykonos. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 6 - Cruising – Mykonos We arrive at Mykonos, renowned for its windmills, this afternoon. There is time to shop in the amazing labyrinth of narrow little alleyways or just to relax and enjoy a cool drink in a taverna overlooking the Mediterranean. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 7 - Cruising – At Sea Time to relax and enjoy the ship’s facilities as we cruise to Israel. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 8 - Cruising – Ashdod – Jerusalem excursion We dock in Ashdod this morning and drive through the Judean Mountains to Jerusalem, one of the oldest towns in the world. On arrival we will drive through the New City to the Mount of Olives with wonderful views over the Old City. Then on foot we will enter the Old City and reach the Via Dolorosa, the route Jesus took to his crucifixion. We see the Church of the Holy Sepulchre then continue to the Jewish Quarter and the Wailing Wall, the location of King Solomon’s Temple where now stands the Dome of the Rock. We walk through the Bazaar and have lunch in a restaurant. Afterwards we drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity and have some free time before returning to our ship in Ashdod. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 9 - Cruising – Port Said – Cairo & Pyramids excursion We dock in Port Said at the entrance to the Suez Canal. Today we have a full day excursion to Cairo where we visit the Egyptian Museum, home of King Tutankhamen’s priceless treasures, discovered by Howard Carter in the Valley of the Kings in 1922. After an included lunch, we drive to see the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, the great Pyramids of Giza, overlooked by the inscrutable Sphinx. After free time to shop and take pictures we return to our ship which has sailed during the day to Alexandria. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 10 - Cruising – Agios Nikolaos, Crete In the afternoon we arrive at the picturesque port of Agios Nikolaos on the island of Crete. Maybe take an optional excursion to see the Palace of Knossos, associated with the King Minos and the legendary Minotaur? Then we return to the ship for our last nights’ entertainment on board. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 11 - Piraeus – Athens We disembark in Piraeus and are transferred back to our hotel in Athens. Time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing, or just to relax in a pavement café. (Breakfast)
Hotel: Divani Palace Acropolis
Day 12 - Athens – USA We transfer you to the airport for your return flight home to the USA. (Buffet breakfast)
Cruise ships operating this itinerary Cristal or similar
Free airport transfers Athens Airport transfers will be provided for passengers who have provided Trafalgar their flight details.
What's Included
Sightseeing Highlights
Athens: Sightseeing featuring the Acropolis, Parthenon, views of the Agora, Royal Palace, Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and the Olympic Stadium.
Istanbul: Visit this fabled city and see the Bosphorus.
Mykonos: Visit this lively island renowned for windmills.
Jerusalem: Visit the New City and Old City. See the Mount of Olives, Via Dolorosa, Dome of the Rock, Wailing Wall.
Bethlehem: Visit the Church of the Nativity.
Cairo: Visit the Egyptian Museum, view the Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx.
Crete: Visit the picturesque port of Agios Nikolaos.
Dining Highlights
3 buffet breakfasts in Athens
All meals on the cruise
24 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)First Class Travel Highlights
Athens hotel accommodation, each with twin bedded rooms and private facilities.
7 nights cruise accommodation.
All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes are included.
Touring by air-conditioned coach.
The services of the Local Trafalgar Representative whilst in Athens.
A qualified local city guide in Athens.
A stylish wallet, tour documents and a Welcome on Tour book.
This cruise is operated by Louis Lines.
Airport transfers are provided on Day 2 and Day 12, conditons apply.
Airport Transfers
London Gateway: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the airport and your London hotel. But when you book your Trafalgar tour and take advantage of our land and air packages, we have included a FREE transfer to and from London’s airports and your Trafalgar London hotel. For passengers who have their own flight arrangements we offer you the opportunity to purchase inexpensive transfers to and from London’s Heathrow – Trafalgar has negotiated special rates for the Dot2Dot transfer from London’s Heathr
Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
For included transfers: Your flights must be booked directly by Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. For chargeable transfers: Your Travel Agent provides detailed flight information to Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. Once transfers are booked they cannot be changed.
For London arrivals, you must stay at a London hotel booked by Trafalgar on the night of arrival and the night prior to your departure date.
Trafalgar only includes one inbound and one outbound transfer.
In the event of flight delays outside of Trafalgar’s control, the transfers will be deemed to be cancelled.
All transfers are based on group transfers. No refund is therefore available for missed transfers, or passengers not using this service.
In the event of unforeseen events (such as road or rail works, strikes or demonstrations), Trafalgar will not be responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
Heathrow Airport: National Express Dot2Dot will pick up and drop off in time to meet all flights to/from London’s Heathrow Airport. For guests arriving at the Dot2Dot desk after 22.00 hrs please make use of the courtesy phone to arrange your transfer to your Trafalgar hotel.
Gatwick Airport Passengers who have booked Trafalgar’s Land and Air packages arriving at London’s Gatwick Airport are provided with a Gatwick Express train voucher. The Gatwick Express train journey from Gatwick Airport to London’s Victoria Station takes 30 minutes. Guests then need to make their way from Victoria Station to their Trafalgar hotel.
European Gateways: Trafalgar passengers purchasing “Land Only” will receive coach transfers at the times published in the brochure at NO extra charge. However, if these “Land Only” passengers arrive outside the brochure advertised coach transfer times they must make their own arrangements at their own expense.
Passengers purchasing pre and post tour accommodation must arrange their own transfers regardless of whether or not they have bought “Air” from Trafalgar.
Passengers purchasing “Land and Air” from Trafalgar will receive coach transfers at times published in the brochure or, if they arrive outside of these set times, then a separate transfer will be booked for them. These transfers will be available only on the days of arrival and departure of the tour.
Unless otherwise noted, fares do not include all applicable taxes, charges and government imposed fees. Click here for more information on air fees and taxes.
